Cemetery vandalism (From Stroud News and Journal)

Cemetery vandalism

A LITTLE boy who likes to leave toys at the graveside of his father was in tears this week after finding they had been smashed by vandals.

Four-year-old Elliot Weeks from Ebley was only a toddler when his dad Lee was killed by a train as as he walked home along the track at Beards Lane crossing, almost three years ago.

Elliot who remembers his dad visits St Cyrs graveyard in Stonehouse regularly with is grandfather Barry.

Lee 29, a former Archway pupil worked as a lorry driver and Elliot likes to play with little toy lorries when he visits the grave and he leaves various models at the graveside.

The close-knit Weeks family said they devastated to find Elliot's gifts to his father had been smashed when Barry and Elliot visited the grave on Saturday.

"They have broken one of his tonka toys in half-we are all very upset and angry, " said Barry who broke the news to his little grandson.

"When I told him he cried. He was only one and a half when Lee died but he does remember him and recognises his dad when we show him photographs."

And Barry had a stern message for the vandals who wrecked his son's grave.

"I'm not sure I would be responsible for my actions if I got hold of them. These people just haven't got a conscience."

Barry said this latest act of vandalism was not the only one to have happened at the Stonehouse church.

"The windows of the church have also been broken and there is certainly a problem with vandals and youngsters hanging about- something needs to be done about it," added Mr Weeks.